Featured On Etsy Treasury

What a wonderful surprise I had waiting for me this morning when I opened my email. Flower Pond Studio, an Etsy Treasury Curator, had included one of my ACEO cards as one of her Treasury Favorites. It was such a nice surprise.

This is the card that was featured, 'Frangipani'.

Click here....Prints are in my Etsy Shop!

'Feuillage'

I have diligently tried to post this recent work for the last few days but something always got in the way. So, finally, here it is...

This sweet frame, called 'Feuillage' meaning leaf or foliage in french, is an art piece I had recently completed in the wood burning technique I had described in a previous post.

The frame size is almost 8"x8" and the colors are so pretty in person, it actually sparkles in the light. So when I manifest the new camera of my dreams, I am sure I will be able to capture it perfectly. Can't wait for that!

There's much more to come...so stay tuned.

Click here....This frame is now in my Etsy Shop!

Caged

A little pen and ink I worked on today while it rained and rained.
I love the rain. It feels sort of storybook to me and it's certainly helping with the heat 'round here. I hope to add the color tomorrow....stay tuned.

Dreams And New Shop

Well, here it is. The new project(s) that I have been working on.

As I mentioned in the last post, this has been something I have had creating in my mind for such a long time...for years really. In fact I have quite an assortment of unfinished wood items that I have collected over the years...just waiting for me to get started.

After I hand draw the images onto the wooden piece, I wood burn the image into it, which has afforded me a couple little burns too. (Note to self....will need special gloves)

After that, I stain each portion and then proceed to paint it. My goal is to incorporate inspirational words and additional wooden elements for a bit of whimsy.

Lastly, I seal it with a non-yellowing varnish to protect it for generations to come!

I have a few other pieces completed as well and will have to get those uploaded tomorrow. In lieu of this new venture, I have also opened a new Etsy shop for this type of work called..... Divine Design Too! Make sure to check it out!

Click here....This box is now in my Etsy Shop!

Something New

I have been working on something new this past week......

and am very excited about it. Lots of ideas building...should be fun. More to come soon.

Chickie Chick

Working on some whimsical pieces lately and really having a lot of fun with them....

This is Chickie Chick and she is fun and full of spunk. When she walks....everyone notices! Created in pen & archival ink and Prismacolor professional colored pencils on Bristol.

Click here....Prints are now in my Etsy Shop!

Zeus - The Gentle Giant

Spending so much time in the studio can get lonely sometimes...unless you have friends like mine that come to visit..........

This is Zeus. My kids rescued him a couple years ago when he was very tiny and scared. He is actually a rather large cat now and has a bold and beautiful stature. Most cats who come upon him will back up, fearing his presence....but the truth be known, he is just a gentle, sweet giant. Quiet and soft and loving. When confronted, he has no desire to fight. Instead, he will turn and walk off slowly. He's not a fighter, he's a lover. He prefers to sleep in bed with me or my daughter at night....with his head on a pillow and follows quite a routine every day. And when he looks at you, there is such a tenderness. We are so blessed to have him in our family.

The fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, longsuffering, kindness, goodness,
faithfulness, gentleness, self-control....

Gal. 5:22-23

The Football Mural

Most who know me, know that football is not my thing...so when I was contacted about doing a football mural for a teenager...I of course thought, uhh ohh! Let's just say, I know a lot more about football now than I did before...LOL. The story behind all this was so wonderful, too. Sharie and Steve wanted to surprise their teenage boy with a mural for his room while he was away at football camp. About 13 months ago, he gave up his room to his grandmother when her house burned down and this was in the midst of her recovering from cancer and the passing of the grandfather, too. It must have been such a difficult time for them all. So this gesture for their son was to show him gratitude for what he gave up for the family. What a wonderful gift.

The best part is that I was able to meet 2 of the most beautiful people anyone would be blessed to come to know. Sharie and Steve's generosity to me and my children was extraordinary. They are kind and loving from deep down and this project was a pleasure.

Their son was certainly surprised when he got home, having no idea what was behind his door. The football player is Tim Couch and those in the stands were renditions of their family. And Sharie made sure that the bedspread, curtains and pillows were all of the Cleveland Browns, too. I have been blessed to have been part of this wonderful gift!

....It is more blessed to give than to receive.

Acts 20:35

Etsy Story is Open!

The new Etsy store is open! Finally! Long overdue, I must admit. We moved since I last wrote, so that didn't help much, but I will have to say I can see the light again. Very few boxes are left, thank goodness. Many things in the works right now and will elaborate further at a later date, but for now, I am uploading items to the new store and am very excited about this new venture. My camera is not playing nice for the most part but it will just have to do for now. Note to self: buy a new camera...a great camera! Can't wait!

These are just a few of the items in the store right now. I have had such a blast making them and have received some wonderful feedback/requests from all walks of life, everywhere! They are all illustrated/hand painted and are sealed with a very thick resin that makes it look like its under glass. The pendant charm is wood and the necklace is sterling silver. And the colors are beautiful....my camera and re-touching just....well, lets just say, didn't do it justice.

You can find them here in my Etsy Store.

......more to upload, so until next time.......

So Much To Tell.....

Okay. I know. It's been like...forever since I posted last. I know. I should be ashamed of myself! And I am! I'm sorry! The only excuse I have is that I have been ridiculously busy! That's a good thing, right? I know...too bad...still, no excuse. I'll try to do better. Promise.

So, how about a recap of some of the happenings lately....

My daughter Hannah won 1st Place in the county for her poem she wrote at the Pride and Patriotism event held at the Barbara B. Mann Performing Arts Hall. I am so proud! I will certainly post her poem so all can read at a later date.....

my little guy, Nathaniel, turned 5 years old......

.....then he broke his arm, ouch.....

made some Christmas gifts with the kids for friends and family.....

gave some gifts to kids around the world....and then Santa brought too many gifts in return....

my sister and her family from New York came to visit. Wish it lasted longer.....got addicted to some pen and ink pieces.....

and some more (I'm really loving the white gel pen.....woo hoo).....

and some glass painting.....

and textile painting.....
and teaching art classes, and....oh my! And that's just some of it. There are a few other pieces I've been working on but I don't have the images yet. Will have to post those soon. The art classes have been great. I've met a lot of great people and look forward to what's next. I'm also getting ready to open my Etsy store and contemplating a couple other sites as well. I've been pretty busy getting all the extras taken care of so I can get it all up and running. Goodness, there is so much more to tell....but will just have to wait till next time.